Statement of Position on
Affordable and Accessible Housing

Homelessness is a complex and urgent issue affecting individuals and families across Nevada. As a U.S. Senate candidate, I am committed to addressing this crisis with a comprehensive approach that prioritizes shelter, support, and a pathway to stable housing. Our position reflects our unwavering commitment to addressing homelessness in Nevada with compassion, dignity, and evidence-based solutions. We will work tirelessly to ensure that homelessness is not a permanent condition and that every Nevadan has access to shelter, support, and a path to stable housing.

 

Recognizing the critical need for affordable housing and the importance of sustainable development practices, our position seeks to provide subsidies and support for the creation and maintenance of affordable housing units that are energy-efficient, socially inclusive, and accessible to individuals and families of all income levels. By providing subsidies, support for sustainable practices, and initiatives that prioritize affordability and accessibility, this bill seeks to create vibrant, environmentally responsible communities where everyone has the opportunity to secure safe, affordable, and sustainable housing.

 

Affordable Housing and Housing First:

Our primary objective is to expand access to affordable housing and embrace the "Housing First" approach, which includes:

• Advocating for the development of affordable and supportive housing units for those experiencing homelessness.

• Supporting rent control measures to prevent exorbitant increases in housing costs.

• Ensuring that affordable housing is distributed equitably across communities.

• Encouraging local authorities to prioritize affordable housing initiatives.

 

Affordable Housing Production and Preservation

• Subsidized Housing Development: Allocates funding to support the construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of affordable housing units in urban, suburban, and rural areas, with a focus on low-income communities and populations facing housing instability.

• Mixed-Income Housing: Encourages the development of mixed-income housing projects that integrate affordable units with market-rate units, ensuring socio-economic diversity and preventing the concentration of poverty.

• Preservation of Existing Stock: Provides financial assistance and incentives to preserve existing affordable housing units, preventing their conversion to market-rate housing and maintaining their affordability for future occupants.

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Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

• Green Building Standards: Sets requirements for newly constructed or rehabilitated affordable housing units to meet energy efficiency and sustainability standards, promoting the use of renewable energy, energy-saving technologies, and environmentally friendly building materials.

• Retrofitting Programs: Establishes programs that offer financial assistance and incentives to upgrade existing housing units with energy-efficient appliances, insulation, lighting, and water conservation measures, reducing energy consumption and utility costs for residents.

• Sustainable Community Design: Encourages the integration of sustainable community design principles, such as walkability, access to public transportation, bike lanes, parks, and communal spaces, to create environmentally and socially vibrant neighborhoods.

 

Rental Subsidies and Vouchers

• Rental Assistance Programs: Increases funding for rental subsidies, Section 8 vouchers, and other targeted rental assistance programs, ensuring that low-income individuals and families have access to safe and affordable housing in the private rental market.

• Rent Control Measures: Enhances the ability of local jurisdictions to implement rent control measures to stabilize rental prices, prevent unjustified rent increases, and preserve affordable housing options for long-term residents.

 

Support for Homeownership

• Affordable Homeownership Programs: Creates initiatives provide financial assistance, down payment assistance, and favorable financing options to individuals and families who qualify for homeownership but face barriers due to limited financial resources.

• Homeownership Counseling and Education: Allocates funding for homeownership counseling programs to provide information, guidance, and education on the process of purchasing and maintaining a home, helping prospective homeowners make informed decisions.

 

Emergency Shelters and Safe Spaces:

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We believe in providing immediate shelter and safe spaces for those experiencing homelessness. Our initiatives include:

• Expanding the capacity of emergency shelters and transitional housing to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families.

• Ensuring shelters are safe and welcoming, with access to hygiene facilities and services.

• Advocating for the removal of legal barriers to the creation of temporary and emergency housing solutions.

• Promoting collaboration between local governments and community organizations to support vulnerable populations.

 

Supportive Services:

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Addressing homelessness requires comprehensive services that address underlying causes. Our commitments encompass:

• Increasing access to mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

• Expanding outreach programs to connect individuals with services and resources.

• Providing job training and workforce development opportunities to help homeless individuals regain self-sufficiency.

• Offering case management services to assess individual needs and create tailored plans for stabilization.

• Supportive Housing Programs: Allocates resources for the creation and expansion of supportive housing units that combine affordable housing with wraparound services, such as counseling, healthcare, addiction treatment, and job training, to address the complex needs of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

 

Supportive Services and Benefits

• Case Management Services: Allocates funding to enhance case management services for individuals experiencing homelessness, providing personalized support and assistance in securing stable housing, accessing healthcare, obtaining employment, and connecting with other needed resources.

• Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment: Expands access to mental health and substance use treatment services specific to the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, including increased funding for specialized programs and the integration of services within homeless shelters and outreach efforts.

• Benefits Enrollment Assistance: Establishes programs to provide outreach and assistance in accessing public benefits, including healthcare, food assistance, disability benefits, and other available resources, ensuring individuals experiencing homelessness have access to vital support systems.

 

Supportive Services and Community Development

• Supportive Services: Allocates resources for the provision of supportive services, such as case management, counseling, job training, and childcare assistance, to help individuals and families maintain stable housing and overcome barriers to self-sufficiency.

• Community Development Grants: Provides grants to local municipalities, non-profit organizations, and community groups for community development projects aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods, enhancing community facilities, and improving the quality of life for residents.

 

Outreach and Engagement

• Homeless Outreach Teams: Establishes multidisciplinary outreach teams comprising social workers, case managers, mental health professionals, and other specialists to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness, assess their needs, and connect them to appropriate services.

• Mobile Service Delivery: Supports the development of mobile service delivery programs that bring essential resources directly to individuals experiencing homelessness, including healthcare screenings, counseling services, and necessities such as food, clothing, and hygiene supplies.

• Coordinated Entry System: Implements or further develops a centralized, coordinated entry system that streamlines access to homelessness services, ensuring equitable and efficient distribution of shelter and housing resources.

 

Homelessness Prevention:

We aim to prevent homelessness through proactive measures, including:

• Expanding rental assistance programs to help individuals and families maintain stable housing.

• Implementing measures to prevent evictions, such as eviction diversion and mediation programs.

• Promoting access to legal representation for tenants facing eviction.

• Supporting community programs that address the root causes of homelessness, such as domestic violence prevention and services for at-risk populations.

 

Prevention and Diversion

• Homelessness Prevention Programs: Allocates funding for homelessness prevention programs that provide financial assistance, mediation services, and supportive interventions to individuals and families at risk of homelessness, helping them maintain stable housing and avoid entering the homeless system.

• Diversion Programs: Establishes diversion programs that assist individuals facing imminent homelessness by rapidly connecting them to alternative housing options, mediation services, and other resources to prevent their entry into the homeless system when safe and appropriate.

 

Coordination and Data:

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Efficient and coordinated efforts are essential to address homelessness. Our strategies include:

• Establishing interagency collaboration to ensure a seamless delivery of services.

• Promoting the collection and analysis of data to track the progress of homeless services and identify areas for improvement.

• Encouraging communities to create comprehensive plans for addressing homelessness, tailored to local needs.

• Engaging in regular outreach and dialogue with homeless individuals and communities to assess their unique needs.

 

Data Collection and Evaluation

• Data Collection and Dashboards: Calls for standardized data collection and reporting systems to track and evaluate homelessness services, outcomes, and progress towards reducing homelessness, aiding in the development of effective strategies and evidence-based policy decisions.

• Performance Metrics: Develop performance metrics and accountability measures to ensure transparency and effectiveness in the delivery of homeless services, promoting continuous improvement and the allocation of resources based on demonstrated impact.

 

Homeless Youth and Families:

Homelessness disproportionately affects youth and families. Our initiatives encompass:

• Expanding targeted support for homeless youth, including shelters and educational services.

• Advocating for a strengthened child welfare system that addresses the unique needs of homeless families.

• Promoting alternatives to foster care for homeless parents to help them stay with their children.

 

Homelessness and the Justice System:

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Addressing the criminalization of homelessness is a priority. Our commitments include:

• Promoting policies that decriminalize homelessness and remove punitive measures against homeless individuals.

• Supporting diversion programs for those with minor offenses to connect them with housing and services.

• Advocating for the provision of identification and other essential documents to homeless individuals to help them access services and jobs.